8 CHEMICAL DISCOVERY AND INVENTION 



the Institute of Chemistry of Great Britain and Ireland, which 

 in 1885 received a Royal Charter. The Institute holds periodical 

 examinations, and in other ways tests the qualifications of 

 candidates for its Associateship and Fellowship. The Institute 

 stands therefore toward the profession of chemistry somewhat 

 in the same relation as the Institutions of Civil and Mechanical 

 Engineers to the calling of Engineers. It does not possess the 

 exclusive powers of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Sur- 

 geons, but the value of the Fellowship is now recognised by many 

 Government Departments. 1 



Other voluntary associations of chemists interested in par- 

 ticular applications of chemistry exist, but sufficient has been 

 said to indicate the nature and extent of the organisation now 

 existing in the British Isles. 



As it often happens that parents are uncertain how to gratify 

 the aspirations of a boy to become a chemist a few remarks may 

 be made here as to the course most advisable to pursue. It 

 may be added that there is nothing in the nature of things to 

 prevent a woman following the same course of study. A few 

 women students have successfully taken up chemistry, and they 

 now occupy in most cases important positions as teachers. It is 

 advisable at the outset to point out that success can only be 

 looked for by those who have had a sound general education 

 and that the course of study to be pursued after school age 

 extends over at least four years and may in many cases be use- 

 fully prolonged to five or even six years before entry on pro- 

 fessional or industrial life. 



If the student enters one of the universities with a view to the 

 pursuit of a science course three or four years from matriculation 

 will be occupied according to the quality of the degree which he 

 wishes to take. His studies up to this point will extend into 

 several branches of science, especially mathematics, physics, 

 and chemistry. Having secured his degree he should then 

 devote one or two years to special chemical work or research 

 under the direction of his teachers. Should he not be in a position 

 to enter one of the universities he may attend the courses of 

 instruction given in one or other of the great technical institu- 

 tions such as the Imperial College of Science and Technology at 

 South Kensington. Students, however, are not admitted to 



1 The History of the Institute of Chemistry, compiled by R. B. Pilcher, 

 Registrar of the Institute, contains full details of progress from 1877 to 1914. 



